System, method and apparatus for processing data or information



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Original Filed March 22, 1952 United States Patent Otiice 2,968,793 Patented Jan. 17, 1961 SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROC. ESSING DATA R INFORMATION Continuation of application Ser. No. 278,038, Mar. 22, 1952. This application Apr. 24, 1958, Ser. No.

1s Claims. (ci. 34a-172.5)

This is a continuation of the applicants copending application Serial No. 278,038, now abandoned tiled March 22, 1952. The invention described and claimed herein relates to systems of processing data or information including apparatus for recording, transcribing, analyzing, computing, and rerecording. More particularly, it relates to methods and apparatus for processing large amounts of data or information, usually observational, with rather simple calculations or reductions, rapidly, efliciently and accurately, and it is an object of the lnvention to provide an improved method and apparatus of this character.

The term data, as used herein, is defined to include all information; for example, original observations, calculations, analyses, functional relationships or the like, whether in graphical or other form.

In the sciences in which known physical laws define the relationship between relatively few parameters, highly accurate large scale digital computers have been developed which will give the results of desired computations involving these laws in short intervals of time. This form of apparatus as well as others, for example, differential analyzers with their concepts and methods, provide satisfactory approaches to and solutions of such problems. Recording the solutions is a simple matter since usually there are relatively few computations to be made, and graphical recording such as handwriting or typewriting, or recording by means of punched cards or tapes is completely satisfactory.

In scientific fields, such as meteorology and other geophysical disciplines, the method of approach is, of necessity, different. The pertinent factors while perhaps not unknown are not fully understood, and they may be large in number. In these instances, the usual procedure entails observation of the various variable factors over long periods of time and at many points, recordation of observational data, and then analysis and evaluation. Por example, in the case of weather observation, measurements of temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind direction and velocity, etc., have been made for many years, at many stations and at various altitudes. Continuing improvements in apparatus and technique have enabled observations and records of the foregoing character in this as well as in other tields to be made at ever increasing rates so that a very large amount of observed data exist.

Such data exists in the form of continuous graphs or stnip charts, tabulations, and analogue recordings on mediums such as magnetic tape or strip charts and in the form of punched holes on cards or tapes. To make an analysis involving use of data of the character described, then, involves the handling of large masses of material. To make a relatively few simple calculations on such data extending over a period of time as short as a year might involve a prohibitive number of persons. It is largely for this reason that much observational data of the character referred to has remained in its storage vaults unused.

Conceivably, for the requirements of a particular problem, sufficient man power might be mobilized to make a lengthy analysis of weather records. However, it would be virtually impossible on account of the expense, number of people and time required, to do any extensive weather research with the data in its present form.

Accordingly, it is a further object of the invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for recording, transcribing, analyzing, and computing existing data of the character'described rapidly, efliciently and accurately.

it is a further object of the invention to provide an improved form of record for storing data.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved record of functionally related factors for making computations.

The existing records of observational data are voluminous and time consuming to handle physically and to obtain data therefrom. Accordingly, it is a further object of the invention to provide an improved method, apparatus and form of record for recording observations, trie results of computations or any other data which will largely reduce space needed for recording and from which the data may be processed rapidly, automatically, and manually.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved method, apparatus and form of record of the character described which are adaptable to recording data from sensing instruments in the first instance as well as to the re-recording of such data already existing in the form of strip charts, tabulations, punched cards or tapes, etc.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved method, apparatus and form of record of the character described for recording and reproducing data by means of analogue or unitary techniques.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved method, apparatus and form of record for recording data whereby such record will retain all of the data upon the original record as well as all of the accuracy.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved method, apparatus and form of record for recording data whereby such record will preserve the visual character of the original record, particularly if this is in the form of a graph.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved method, apparatus and form of record for representation of data whether the values thereof are continuous, successive, discrete or singular.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a schematic representation of a data processing system embodying the invention;

Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are diagrams of types of records according to one aspect of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of apparatus for reading strip chart records according to one aspect of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of photographic apparatus for recording data in the form shown in Fig. 3, according to one aspect of the invention;

Fig. l0 is a simplified representation of exposed photographic film recorded by the apparatus of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an elevational view of one portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 9;

Figs. l2, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are simplified representations of exposed photographic film during successive steps in recording by the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 9;

Fig. 17 is a schematic representation on a larger scale of a portion of tue apparatus illustrated in Fig. 9;

Fig. 18 is a schematic representation of apparatus for reproducing data from records made according to the apparatus and method of Fig. 9;

Fig. 19 is a schematic representation of apparatus for recording data in the form shown in Fig. 2, for example, upon paper according to another aspect of the invention;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view of apparatus taken substantially in the direction of arrows 20-20 in Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary view of other apparatus shown in Fig. 19;

Fig. 22 is a schematic view in developed formfofone portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 19;

Fig. 23 is a schematic view similar to Fig. 22 of a modified form of apparatus;

Fig. 24 is a schematic View of a form of record to be made by the apparatus of Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a schematic View similar to Figs. 22 and 23 of another modified form of apparatus;

Fig. 26 is a schematic view of a form of record to be made by the apparatus of Fig. 25;

Figs. 27 and 28 are views of further forms of records according to the invention;

Fig. 29 is a schematic view of reproducing and computing apparatus according to one aspect of the invention;

Fig. 30 is a schematic view of one form of computing and re-recording apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 31 is a schematic view of a further form of computing and re-recording apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 32 is a schematic view of a form of transverse unitary record in which two variables are functionally related and from which computations can be made.

Fig. 33 is a schematic view of apparatus for recording data initially in tabular form according to the invention, and

Fig. 34 is a schematic view of apparatus for recording data initially in punched card form according to the invention.

In the application Serial No. 165,844, now U.S. Patent No. 2,771,596, John C. Bellamy entitled Improved Method and Apparatus for Recording and Reproducing Data, tiled June 2, 1950 and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, there is shown and claimed apparatus and methods for recording and reproducing data for which groups of discrete effects indicative of data value are made upon a medium, the groups of effects being spaced one after the other along the medium.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the invention is shown as comprising a system of data processing including methods and apparatus. The original data, in whatever form it may exist, is converted if necessary and recorded, according to the invention, into transverse unitary records from which the data may be reproduced and treated in any desirable fashion such as direct viewing, computing, or re-recording.

The original data may exist in the form of a line on a strip chart 50, in the form of numerical tabulations, or punched holes on cards S1 or the like, in the form of pulses from pulse creating apparatus 52, analogue quantities such as a voltage from instrument 53 or some other form. In each of these instances, the data is supplied in an appropriate form to the unitary recorder S4 which makes records in either of the forms designated 55 and 56.

Reproducing data on records of the form 55 and S6 is accomplished by a reproducer 57 from which appropriate signals are obtained to enable the data to be viewed directly in apparatus 58, to be tabulated or placed on punched cards by apparatus 59, to be re-recorded in graphic form by apparatus 61, or to be processed by a computer or analyzer 62. After reproduction, re-recordings may be made in transverse unitary, graphic, tabular or punched card form by apparatus 63 and 64 respec tively.

The universality of the data processing system is an important feature of this invention as may be seen from Fig. 1. That is to say virtually any type of data may be taken and recorded initially or re-recorded subsequently in the form of a single type of record embodying all the characteristics of the original data and, reproductions, computations and analyses may be made in any form from the record. The record itself is, then, an important feature of the present invention and is a universal type of record since all forms of data may be transcribed into it and all types of reproductions may be made therefrom.

The universal record according to the invention may be characterized as a transverse unitary record in that each unit of data has one mark made for it, the marks for each sample of data lying along a uniform line and the lines for respective samples of data lying alongside each other so that recordings and reproductions are made by relative transverse movement of the medium and Ithe apparatus. The universal record results from reducing the data to its simplest form, that is, to units and to one mark for each unit in the recording, The universal record according to the invention is adaptable to single values of data, to data having a large number of successive discretc values, and to data in continuous form. Moreover, the universal record according to the invention retains the visual characteristics of the original data and may beY reproduced either manually or automatically with relatively simple apparatus and as rapidly or slowly as desired.

The nature of the universal record according to the invention may be understood by referring to Figs. 2 and 3.

In Fig. 2, there is shown a section of 35 millimeter photographic lm 65, for example, upon which are disposed a series of side-by-side rows 66 of marks or dots. For easy reproducibility, the dots are dark and the surrounding lm is transparent although the reverse type, that is of dark film with light dots, may be used. Each one of the rows represents one sample, or piece, of data and successive pieces of data are represented by successive side-by-side rows of dots, the record 65 being intended to move in the direction of the arrow during recording as well as during reproducing.

Each dot in each row represents one unit of data value. For example, in the first row 67 there are eight dots above the line of dots designated x-x, thereby indicating that there are eight units in the piece of data represented by the row 67. If the data to be recorded were voltage, and the unit to be used were one volt, the row 67 would represent eight volts precisely. If the unit to be used were tenths of a volt, then row 67 would represent eighttenths of a volt. Any conversion factor may, of course, be used so long as the same conversion factor applies to all rows of data and the unit selected embodies within it all of the accuracy in terms of full scale which is desired. That is to say, if a single dot or mark is to be made for each unit there can be no representation of fractional units. As will become apparent subsequently in this specification, fractional units of data are lost in the recording process so that a unit must be selected which in itself represents all of the accuracy desired and so that the loss of fractions of such a unit is of no consequence. For example, if the accuracy desired is one in a hundred, or one percent of full scale, then one hundred marks represents full scale and one hundred marks would be the total or maximum number of marks which couldV exist in any one row.

Since only individual dots or marks are made, there is a change of a complete unit in moving from one mark to the next in the same row. The record has within it this accuracy precisely and none other. While each mark or unit may represent one volt or a tenth of evolt., onany other multiple of a volt, the accuracy of the record is still only one percent of full scale. If the data to be recorded is desired to have an accuracy of one-tenth of one percent, which is to say, one in a thousand, the maximum number of dots which may exist in one row, for example row 67, is one thousand. But again the change from one mark to the next is in a discrete step and represents one unit of data having an accuracy of one-tenth of one percent in terms of full scale value.

The line of dots designated x-x is termed a base line since all rows of data begin thereat. The dots in line .vc-x represent, in this instance, a unitary time scale in which each dot identifies the position of a row of data. Such a line of dots representing the positions of the rows of data is essential, since zero is a perfectly proper value of data and is represented by no marks or dots being present as may be seen by the area 68. At the bottom of the area 68 there are three marks lying in the line x-x indicating that the area 68 has within it three values of data each of which is zero, the three marks however, identifying the positions of the rows corresponding to the zero data values.

Within each row of data, the marks preferably are uniformly spaced apart and of uniform size. The marks are spaced apart a sufficient distance so that there is a clear demarcation between them and the space may be considerably larger than the size of the mark itself. The marks in each row preferably lie along a uniform line which is shown as being straight in Fig. 2 but may be curved slightly as will become clear subsequently in this specication. There should, however, be no undulations in the line since it is desired to preserve the visual characteristics of the recorded data and to reproduce it by a simple scanning operation. The rows of marks preferably are uniformly spaced from each other and may be spaced the same distance as the marks in each row are spaced from each other. The rows of marks should be substantially parallel to each other although some divergence may be permitted as will become clear subsequently in this specification.

Each of the rows of data must begin at the same base line which in Fig. 2 is represented by the line x-x. This line is shown as a straight line although some deviation in this respect may be permitted also. It will be evident that when the base line x-x is essentially a straight line and the rows and the marks in each row are uniformly spaced, the ends of the rows opposite base line x-x will form an outline resembling very much a graph of the original data. lf the original data should exist in the form of a graph on a strip chart and a translation thereof is made into the form of Fig. 2, the outline formed by the ends of rows 66 is virtually the same as the shape of the original graph. The difference therebetween depends upon the accuracy desired in the re-recording. If an accuracy of one-tenth of one percent is utilized, substantially all of the accuracy existing in ordinary strip charts will be retained and the resemblance of the outline formed by the ends of the rows of marks and the original graph will be very close.

It has been found that one thousand dots or marks per inch may be made on photographic film without loss of accuracy in reproduction. With the rows of dots less than one-thousandth of an inch apart, it is evident that the continuity of the data is retained and the outline formed by the ends of the rows of marks will exactly resemble the original graph of data.

The line of marks lying along line x-x may be disposed along the upper portion of the record 65 instead of along the bottom portion as shown, it being recalled that these marks identify the positions of the rows of data. If the line of marks in the line x-x is disposed along the upper portion of the side, the individual marks therein must still lie along extensions of the uniform lines formed by the respective rows of data. The base line x-x itself, which is an imaginary line, must still remain at the base of the rows of marks as shown since it is this base line from which the rows of marks must extend in order to retain the visual characteristics of the data.

The rows of marks extend transversely to the base line x-x and may be perpendicular thereto although this is not essential.

After a record in the form of Fig. 2 has been made on a transparent medium, reproduction may be made in two ways. First a iiying spot of light may be caused to scan across each row of dots and the resultant impulses of light may `be counted by a photoelectric cell. The number of such pulses gives the data corresponding to that row. This reproducing method may be termed the unitary method. Second, a slit may be placed over each row of dots and a line or beam of light projected thereon and the total amount of light passing through the film sensed by a photoelectric cell. The resultant voltage of ithe photoelectn'c cell is then an analogue measure of the data value. This reproducing method may be termed vthe analogue method. Moreover, with a suitable enlargement of a single frame of photographic film, the number of marks could be counted invidiually or a scale could be laid along the row of marks and its length measured. With pro-per calibration this latter technique would give an analogue measure of the data value.

It will be evident that, since photographic film can be moved as rapidly as 64 or 128 frames per second, and since there can be one thousand rows of marks in each frame, it is feasible to place a large amount of data on a relatively small amount of film; and the film may be played back, that is moved past a reproducing slit at a very high rate. Since photoelectric cells and other electronic apparatus operate very rapidly, certain types of reproductions and computations can be made very rapidly.

A reading of data for each one-hundredth of an inch along a strip chart will, ordinarily, preserve all the data. Recording of such readings on a photographic film with a spacing between rows of data of onethousandth of an inch is a saving of recording space of ten to one. In many strip charts, readings may be taken at greater intervals than one-hundreth of an inch with consequent greater savings in recording space.

With essentially continuous data, the recording film 65 will move continuously. Fo-r discontinuous data, the films will move intermittently. This is within the scope of the invention.

Each photographic record and the data on it may be identified by number, type, scale factors, etc. with an appropriate unitary code as will be described.

While the record 65 has been assumed to be a ytransparent photographic film with dark marks on it, it will be clear that other media, such as paper, magnetic tape etc., may be used and suitable marks or effects made o-n them. These marks, for example, may be dark spots or spots o-f any color or characteristic in order that light may `be transmitted or reflected thereby. The marks may be actual openings in the medium itself, or variations in magnetic density of a magnetic tape. The marks or effects, within the soope of the invention, may be any reproducible or detectable effects. To attain the greatest advantages of the invention, the e'lfects preferably should be of such a character that an electrical signal may be produced directly during reproduction, but this is not essential.

In Fig. 3 there is shown a section of 35 millimeter photographic lm 71, for example, upon which is disposed a series of lines or effects 72 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. For easy reproducibility, the lines are shown dark and the surrounding film is shown transparent although the reverse, that is light lines with dark film may be used. Disposed on the film 71 along one side thereof, is a line of discrete marks 73, each mark of this line identifying the position of one particular row of data marks. The line 73 of marks may extend, for example, in the direction of film movement shown by the arrow.

Disposed at the opposite side of the film 71 from' the line 73 of marks is a base line x-x which is animaginary line shown coinciding with `the lirst one of the 'parallel lines 72. Imaginary lines extending from each of the marks in line 73 and disposed at a predetermined'angle, for example, at right angles to the base line .1c-fx, define the positions of particular rows of data marks.Y Forex ample, a line extending from mark 74 in line73 at right angles to the base line x-x will intersect ten of the lines 72 beginning with line 75 and terminating with line 76, thereby indicating a total of l units in that piece of data. Immediately adjacent to mark 74, the mark 77 defines the position of the next piece of data, the data including the lines from the line 78 to the line 76. There are a total of 16 lines in this group and therefore 16 units in the data.. This manner of indicating the data applies all along the film 76. In elfect, the individual marks for each row of data have blended into single lines. Some forms of recording devices readily make recordsV of this sort. For example, voltages may be supplied to a series of fingers which are in contact with recording paper sensitive to electrical current. The number of fingers energized at any one instant may then deline the value of the data.

In Fig. 3, each of the lines 72 terminates abruptly and begins abruptly in order to define the marks applicable to a particular row of data. The lines themselves preferably are of uniform width and preferably uniformly spaced. While the lines are shown parallel and straight, it is to be understood they need not be straight but can be curved in a small amount as will become clear.

During the recording process, the lilm 71 moves in the direction of the arrow and appropriate lines indicative off the particular datavalues are made.

Corresponding to Fig. 2. each line in each row of data defines one unit in the data sample, there being no fractional values of data recordable. Consequently, the correct number of lines must be chosen in order to represent the desired accuracy in the recording process. The resolution inherent in the recording process is the same for the record of Fig. 3 as for the recond of Fig. 2.

Within properly chosen limits of accuracy, the ends of the `lines 72 define an outline which corresponds to the curve of the data being recorded. That is to say, the visual character of the original data is preserved as precisely as the chosen limits will permit. s The line 74 of marks is essentially a [unitary time scale indicating `the time when each data row is made. These marks are essential for this type of record in order to dene the positions of the rows of data when either a slit of light or a flying spot of light is used for reproducing. .The absence of data is indicated by the absence of any lines 72 as may be seen in the area 79. However, the marks 81 and 82 define the positions of zero data values in the area 79.

A total number of one thousand lines per inch may be made fo-r a record of the type shown in Fig. 3 corresponding to the one thousand dots o1' marks which can be made on the record shown in Fig. 2.

In reproducing the record of Fig. 3. the iilm may be moved past a scanning point in the direction of the arrow and the film may be exposed through a slit by either a line of light or a flying spot of light. A photoelectrie cell will pick up the transmitted light, and a series of pulses may be counted or an output voltage obtained corresponding `to the total `amount of light transmitted. Hence, a precise count of the data or a voltage analogue corresponding thereto is obtained.

The lili'n may be moved as rapidly as the desired accuracy of calculations will permit and may be played back as rapidly as the record shown in Fig. 2.

A In the case of Fig. 3`, the record may be made on other media than photographic ilrn similar to the record of Fig. 2.

' While the rows of elects in Figs. 2 and 3 are disposed transverse'to the direction of overall record movement, it will be understood that this is not essential. The rows of etfects may be longitudinal so long as during the actual recording or reproducing operation the relative movements of the record and the apparatus are transverse to each other.

"The records of Figs. 2 and 3 may be identified by legends which include the number of the record, the type of record; the ydate it was made, the place it was made andany'other facts which are desirable or necessary. This information may be placed upon the records in any appropriate manner such as by photographing the actual hand-written information. Appropriate code systems may beused, for example such as dots or marks arranged accordingto a binary number system.

In Fig. 4 there is shown how the marks, according to the 'invetnion, may be utilized for identifying the record and giving Vthe general information in regard thereto. Thus, the number of the record and the type of the record may be dentied by an appropriate number of marks which have previously been assigned to the record and its type. The date may be given by a series of six rows of marks, the marks in the first row identifying the month, the marks in the second row identifying the day in that month, and the marks in the last four rows identifying the number of units in each of the digits giving the year. Likewise, the place at which the record was made can be idented by a number of marks as may be any other pertinent information desired on the record. The words written on the record of Fig. 4 are placed there to indicate what the different rows of marks mean and ordinarily would not appear on a finished record. So that they may be identified more easily, the rows of marks in the legend may be separated greater distances than the rows of data marks. The right-hand portion of Fig. 4 is a record of the same character as that shown in Fig. 3.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are shown further forms of unitary records following essentially in the types illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

In Fig. 5 there is shown a form of record having substantially all of the characteristics of the form represented in Fig. 3. The prime dilierence between the records of Figs. 5 and 3 is that the imaginary lines extending from the line of marks in Fig. 5 are slightly curved instead of being straight. With the slight curvature of the rows of data marks that is shown, the visual characteristics of the record remain essentially intact. The accuracy is the same as that of the record of Fig. 3. The curvature of the rows of data marks may be determined by following the outline of the ends of the parallel lines at either the left-hand end or the right-hand end thereof.

The record of Fig. 6 corresponds in type to that of Fig. 2 in that a series of separate or spaced rows of marks are utilized for defining the data values. The prime dilierence between the records of Figs. 6 and 2 is that the rows of marks in Fig. 6 lic along curved lines whereas the rows of marks in Fig. 2 lie along straight lines. The visual character of the data remains intact and the accuracy is the same as that of the record of Fig. 2.

The record of Fig. 7 is essentially that shown in Fig. 3 except that the base line x-x in Fig. 7 is slightly curved. Hence, the rows of data marks defined by the marks in line 80a are slightly divergent. Since the divergence is slight, the visual character of the original data is retained. All of the accuracy of the form of record shown in Fig. 3 is present in the record of Fig. 7.

Having the foregoing description of records in mind, the operation of a method and apparatus for recording data from astrip chart according to'theinventiommay 

